The Cost of Raising a Family across Major Cities in the US

The financial implications of raising a family in any major city in the US can be astonishingly high. The main expenses while living in a major city are housing, education for your children, transportation, and taxes. This is basically what your budget will be geared towards.

If you already live in a major city and plan to have a family soon, or you want to move your family to one of the cities in the US, it is prudent to have a clue of what the cost to cater for your family may look like. In this article, we seek to break down the cost of raising a family in 3 major cities in the US.

New York, NY

New York is without a doubt, one of the most iconic cities in the US. For most people, especially those who have never lived here, it is considered as the land of opportunity. This means plenty of jobs and a host of exciting activities to do, as well as interesting places to go to. Some of these include state of the art theatres, concerts, museums, and the list is inexhaustible. These incredible highlights cost money and more so if you are raising a family.

Housing in New York is expensive, while space is barely enough. According to Rentcafe, the current average rent for a 703 Sq meters apartment is $ 4188, in Manhattan. Depending on the number of your members, you need a 2- or 3-bedroom apartment. It is, however, important to note that rent is likely to be slightly lower in Brooklyn and other areas.

credit: Wikipedia
The average cost of private high school in New York is $23,834, while elementary private school is $12,376 per year. A monthly ticket for public transport in New York is $121 on average per person, according to the Expatistan website.

Utilities such as electricity, heating, and gas for two people is $ 168, and the internet is around $52 per month. If you multiply this by the members of your family, you can estimate the average cost of living in New York. You can skip the amenities that can be shared like the internet.

San Jose, CA

San Jose is a beautiful city with a superb view of the Pacific Ocean. It is also home for a Class A baseball team. The Tech and Rosicrucian Egyptian museums are some of the intriguing highlights of this city.

State of the art restaurants offering a diverse menu that includes international cuisines from countries such as Vietnam makes living in San Jose more interesting, particularly for foodies. According to the Expatistan, 900 Sq Ft furnished apartment rent is $2678 on average in an ordinary area. The bigger your family is, the higher the cost is likely to be. Utilities for one person for a month is $91.

credit: Wikipedia
This includes gas, electricity, and heating. Monthly internet averages at $47, and the monthly ticket for public transport is $90. In case you have a baby and prefer to pay for a Taxi, the average cost is $19 per 5 miles.

Between 2018 and 2019, the average private school fees for elementary school was $13,099, while that for high school was $18,805 per year. This is as stated in the Private School Review in the 2018-19 year.

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is an amazing city that sits right next to the ocean and features the unique Golden Gate Bridge. There are myriad of entertainment options for families, including parks, museums, and beaches. It is not cheap to live in this city due to its high real estate prices.

In 2018, the Community and Economic Research said that housing is almost 3 times of what you would pay in many US cities. A rented two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is averaged at $4650. If you are a family of 5, the chances are you would need a bigger house, which would translate to more rent.

credit: Wikipedia
If you prefer to drive and work in a crowded town like China Town, parking fees can cost you over $ 350 a month. Luckily, public transport is cheaper. A monthly pass for the bus will cost you about $70 for each family member. The cost of food is 23% higher than in other cities, as stated by the Council for Community and Economic Research.

Eating at home for the family is better due to the high food prices in restaurants around the city. A doctor’s visit for any member of your family will cost you around $251. For the year 2018-19, the average tuition fee for a private elementary school was $10,916, while that for high school was $18,887. This is according to the Private School Review.